Compaq Computer Corp says it is in the final development stages of a drive diagnostics specification that will enable personal computer hard drives to predict and alert users to certain types of failures, thus preventing loss of critical data. Hard drive diagnostics is not a new concept for high-end machines, but Compaq, and the drive manufacturers involved in the project, say it will be the first time such a facility will be made available on the desktop. Compaq is not releasing any technical information prior to the finalisation of the project, but it is likely that the software-based system will monitor seek error rates, spin up times and throughput performances. Oddities in these parameters would set off the warning system. Compaq will make the specification available for incorporation into standards being developed by industry groups, once details are confirmed. Earlier this year Compaq announced alliances with Conner Peripherals Inc, Quantum Corp and Seagate Technology Inc – the manufacturers whose drives it usually uses in its machines – and said that each company has adopted the specification and is currently developing hard drives with the advanced drive diagnostics. The specification should be available for release next quarter. Compaq claims that other hard drive manufacturers have also pledged to implement this specification, but is not saying who they are.
